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What is Killing our Conifers?

From: Debra McWhorter
City: Lebanon, IL

After noticing what we thought was initially a trend in our subdivision we have observed many varieties of conifers dying. Our observation has noted for most of the trees a thinning of needles and browning starting on the lowest branches. It seems to spread upward finally leaving entire trees bare and dead. Some have attempted to manage the loss of the lower branches by cutting those bottom branches off. It seems to have little impact as the trees continue to lose their needles. We have seen several varieties of pines involved. Our neighbors are struggling with the impact on their landscaping. We have a number of Italian cypress, a large blue spruce, some junipers and two very tall pines with long soft needles. Is there anything we can do to keep our trees healthy?